Gaming Video Card Specs

[gmaxwell1]

I want to be able to run high graphics games such as Oblivion flawlessly. I am almost positive I have a pci slot open but I think that it is taken. I hear that PCI cards are not that powerfull in the gaming department anyways...

My Specs:
System Model: a6442p HP
CPU: Intel(R) Pentium(R) Dual CPU E2200 @ 2.20GHz
CPU Speed: 2.20 GHz Performance Rated at: 3.3 GHz
RAM: 4GB
OS: Windows Vista Home Premium
VIDEO CARD: Intel(R) G33"G31 Express Chipset Family
HARD DRIVE: (2x) 500 Gb

I know the video card is the problem with running because it is missing Hardware T&L and a Vertex Shader. I'm a little confused about what cards will fit, and which will run best for the best buck. I hate that my pc is missing essential components even for casual gaming, but now that I am getting into heavier gaming I need better graphics to run the games. What video card would be right for what I want to do? PCI? PCIe? Pci x16??

[Computer_Commando]

...System: a6442p...What video card would be right for what I want to do? PCI? PCIe? Pci x16??

What is "a6442p"?  Is this HP Pavilion?
Pci-e x16 is what you want.

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01403218&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3715502&lang=en

http://h10025.www1.hp.com/ewfrf/wc/document?docname=c01324212&tmp_task=prodinfoCategory&lc=en&dlc=en&cc=us&product=3715502&lang=en

[gmaxwell1]

Yes.. It is HP. I modified the post.

[Computer_Commando]

...I know the video card is the problem with running because it is missing Hardware T&L and a Vertex Shader. I'm a little confused about what cards will fit, and which will run best for the best buck. I hate that my pc is missing essential components even for casual gaming, but now that I am getting into heavier gaming I need better graphics to run the games...

You can't expect much performance from onboard video.  Be glad you have something that is upgradeable.

You might want to check the BIOS to be sure you can select the PCIe-x16 as the 1st graphics adapter and turn the onboard video off.  Look for something called Init Display First under PnP/PCI Configurations.

[gmaxwell1]

Hey thanks.. Yeah, I can disable the card. I'm looking into getting a graphics card now. I am pretty sure the PCI e x16 is going to be the best bet, but I can also fit a PCI in there.

[Griff]

ya... don't use a PCI graphics card unless you HAVE to. Bottom ranked card.

PCI < AGP < PCIe

[BC_Programmer]

ISA 8-bit < ISA 16-bit < VL-Bus < PCI < AGP < PCI-X < PCI-E

Some people consider VL-Bus  better then PCI.